Wayne Community College golf tournament raises record total
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on August 1, 2012 1:46 PM
Wayne Community College Foundation has had another banner year, boasting its most successful scholarship golf invitational to date and awarding its largest number of scholarships to students.
Jack Kannan, executive director of the Foundation, said Tuesday that the 20th annual event netted a record-breaking $110,000 this year.
"I think the biggest thing is by far that it's the largest, has raised the most of any community college in the state for scholarships," he said.
Formerly termed the Foundation golf tournament, it was recently renamed a scholarship golf invitational to better reflect its purpose, Kannan said.
"We wanted to let people know this is where money is raised for scholarships," he said. "People give and they don't even play golf because they know it's going for scholarships."
In the two decades since it was introduced, the combination auction, dinner and golf tournament has grown in support and popularity. The event has been limited at 128 players.
Wooten Oil Company established and served as sponsor of the event from the outset. Five years ago, Jackson & Sons became program sponsor.
Larry Boyce and his wife, Fran, are credited with leading the committee since 2009 and bringing in bigger dividends with each passing year.
"Last year we did $88,000. That was a record," Kannan said. "The goal was $100,000 (this year) and we netted $110,000. We have been very fortunate that people now are contacting us on how to do it."
The fact that the tournament has managed to thrive during the recent economic climate is especially impressive, Kannan said.
"People ask, 'How do you do it?'" he said. "The cause makes it easy because we tell about the students' needs."
College students and faculty have contributed their time to help it run smoothly, Kannan said, and public support has also helped turn it into a community event.
And all, he pointed out, without necessarily picking up a club.
Of the $110,000 brought in from the latest tournament, $26,000 of that was raised during the auction and dinner, Kannan said.
The proof of the success, though, can be measured in the number of scholarships handed out to students.
From July 1, 2011 to June 30 of this year, the Foundation awarded 365 scholarships, for a total of $227,863.
That trend is continuing, as the college readies for another school year.
"We have given the most scholarships we have ever done," Kannan said of the latest round of awards. "We have given 167 scholarships for the fall. That's the most we have ever given."
The awards range from $500 to $700 each, he noted.
"Tuition increased again this year and now totals $1,140 a semester," he said. "Ten years ago, it was $294 (a semester). That's why there's a need for us to continue to get out in front."
Cumulatively, Kannan noted that the amount raised from 20 years of hosting golf tournaments has produced $989,000 to assist students needing financial aid.